LIMBAUGH COMMENT: REALLY OFFENSIVE OR PC SILLINESS?

[Gringo]

Poll question: LIMBAUGH COMMENT: REALLY OFFENSIVE OR PC SILLINESS?

I hate to do this because I despise Limbaugh as much as anyone, and have heard him say things on his show that were both blatantly and veiled racism.

However, it seems to me that his McNabb comments were about the media, and his twisted view that it is "liberal", and didn't say that McNabb was a mediocre QB because he was black.

The backlash against Pigboy will only reinforce the false notion of a liberal media in the minds of his minions.

That's my 2 cents. How about yours?

PS: My apologies for posting this at a point where EVERYONE (including myself) is sick of the story.

[DrGonzoLives]

1. Yes, he did

That was exactly what he implied, and I'm sorry if you don't see that. When he says that the "media wants to see a black quarterback do well," he is implying that black quarterback are inherently inferior and that the evil leebrul media has to pump them up in some bizarre affirmative-action thing.

Everyone is sick of this story? I love pronouncements like this on DU. Do you know everyone? Have you confirmed this? Or am I just one of those stupid people that is getting distracted by it?

[Gringo]

3. I respect your take on the story

And I understand it. I just don't believe in PC syntax attacks on comments that can be read a number of different ways. Decent, non-racist people get attacked that way too, simply because they lacked the skills to construct a sufficiently PC sentence.

As to people being sick of the story: I am, and I just assumed others were too. I never thought anyone would object to that part of the post, but I'll remove it if it makes you happy.

I have long believed, and continue to believe that overly strict PC-ness has a net damaging effect to the progressive movement- it alienates more people than it helps. Even members of most of the groups ostensibly "helped" by PC speech codes would be unable to keep their speech perfectly within its bounds.

That being said, Rush has made many genuinely offensive remarks "bone in your nose" and making fun of Jocelyn Elders' & Jesse Jackson's accents come to mind.

You have know way of proving that Limbaugh meant to disparage black QB's. The implication is purely in the imagination of fevered PC police. It may well be that Limbaugh thinks black QBs are lousy, but HE DID NOT SAY THAT.

[DrGonzoLives]

7. "PC Police"

A nice right-wing code word. Please don't tell me you've actually fallen for that garbage.

[Gringo]

10. Even a broken clock is right twice a day

And I'm not against PC - within reason. Attacking someone for something you THINK they IMPLIED is wrong. There are enough cut-and-dried instances of real offensive speech without focusing on totally subjective percieved nuances.

Like I said, Limbaugh is a pig - attack him for his real hate speech, not for a dumb RW comment.

[ProfessorGAC]

9. My 2 Cents

While i concur that PC-ness can run amok at times, this is not a case of it as you suggest.

The connotation that black quarterbacks are inherently less qualified than white ones, and therefore need a "media" form of affirmative action to be recognized, is impossible to miss, in my mind.

To suggest, that in the sports world, which for 40 years has been probably the most colorblind aspect of our society, is somehow performing social engineering by crediting undeserving athletes because of skin color is incredibly stupid.

Personally, i can't see how you don't get the implication contained within Limbaugh's statement. This wasn't a matter of the PC police going nuts. It was clearly and obviously a racist statement, made by a guy who's always been more bluster than substance. Now, he's further showing his true colors. He's not just an entertainer. He's a jerk.
The Professor

[Gringo]

11. Agree to disagree

"To suggest, that in the sports world, which for 40 years has been probably the most colorblind aspect of our society, is somehow performing social engineering by crediting undeserving athletes because of skin color is incredibly stupid."

This part of your comment, I am in total agreement with. Limbaugh's comment was 100% wrong. I just don't think it was racist, even though Limbaugh himself is a disgusting race-baiter.

Trying to read into a comment what someone "really meant" is a dangerous thing. Beware, because you may someday find yourself on the other side of such accusations.

[Yupster]

16. However the NFL does havethat stupid

two black interview rule.

[ProfessorGAC]

19. Done!

I can agree to disagree, but i would suggest that there are certainly times when implications are clearer than others. I would think this is one of those times.
The Professor

[The Backlash Cometh]

17. Don't bring PC into this. It has nothing to do with PC. It has to do with

common sense.

[loudnclear]

62. Notice the Limbaugh has wrapped himself in the cloth of 'free speech'

that he denied to the Dixie Chicks. Remember, he organized or at least called for a boycott of the Dixie Chicks for their comments about Bush.
There must be a God!! this could only be devine retribution.

[DocSavage]

4. His Opinion

Not having read any sports stories from the Philidelphia area ever, I cannot comment about how the sports people write. He has his opionion, and you have yours. In your opionion he implied somthing. In my opionion, he made an observation and stated his opionion. And remember, opionions are like as*h*les, everyone has them.

If there are people on the board that live in the Philly area and follow the Eagles, how do they feel about it. To me, if anyone would know what stories are written and how they are written, it would be them. Let them comment.

[haymaker]

22. Bullshit! The color of McNabb's skin has nothing to do with it.

Quit giving cover to that shithook.

Your "plead ignorance" stance regarding the Philly sports media rings totally hollow. The man didn't have a "slip of the tongue", it was a purposeful shot at affirmative action with regard to quarterbacking, which by the way, if you had even an inklings knowlege of football you would know that the statement doesn't hold water. McNabb is a damn good QB and that whole "black quarterback" thing went out years ago, except to k-drags and dit-monkeys. Which are you?

It's his opinion, my arse.

[Mandate My Ass]

35. I would never want to be a professional athlete in Philly

This town is tough to please. THe fans are loyal but they feel they reserve the right to bash when their expectations are not met. THe Philly sportswriters are equally exacting. Steve Carlton refused to talk to the press here *ever* because he felt they would turn on him in a minute and he was right. Iverson regularly gets ripped for on and off court activities.

If there was ever a town that would enable an inferior player for affirmative action or any other reason, Philly is most definitely not it. Donvan even pointed this out in his comments the other day. A reporter asked him if he felt he was being coddled by the press in any way and he smiled and said something to the effect of "Get a free ride in Philly? Yeah right."

[dbt]

2. Roast The Pig!!

Onto the spit with his lard-laden ass and never mind the basting. He sauteed all the Clintons for a helluva lot less than this--so let him learn what piling on feels like!

And don't bother sticking a fork in him--he can go fork himself!

:evilgrin:
dbt

[cprise]

5. We need to be DONE with this Limbaugh hype

There is too much important stuff the media need to focus on to be dwelling on this.

[liberalhistorian]

6. I was really disappointed with

USA Today's front-page coverage yesterday, it didn't tell the whole story and seemed to be painting pig-boy in a sympathetic light. But what do you expect from a paper which is starting to come out with pro-Shrub editorials? (And I NEVER thought I'd see such a thing from that paper)!

[Yupster]

8. My hometown paper had what I considered

a very odd story on the Rush deal. Anyone else see some of these quotes as just weird?

http://www.mywesttexas.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=10262332&BRD=2288&PAG=461&dept_id=475626&rfi=6

[MrPrax]

12. Of course it's racist

and it is not new

check out:
http://www.castefootball.us/
" Media Racism and Stereotyping (10/1/03)

There are no white starting cornerbacks in the NFL out of 64 players who start at that position. In fact, there are no white cornerbacks in the entire league. There are zero starting white tailbacks. No white running back has run for over 1,000 yards in nearly 20 years. Only about five percent of starting wide receivers and safeties are white."

Probably where Rush and his ilk get their idiot ideas...

As if Fahr, Warner or Testaverdi never had a string of bad games attributed to the fact their white of course

[msmcghee]

13. I'd go with Gringo on this one.

I suspect many liberals would like to believe he was "implying that black QB's are not as talented" - but that's not what he said.

He said this black QB didn't deserve the praise he was getting by sportswriters in general. He also suggested that it was because they all wanted to see black QB's do better in the league.

Instead of attacking the possible (or even probable) racism in his statement - why not show where it is wrong if you disagree with it? I have seen some well reasoned statements showing that this QB's stats are not that good.

I will state up-front that I never watch football and know nothing about the NFL. So I have no dog in this fight on substance - I'm just responding to what I have read in the news about it. But I agree with Gringo that the RW loves to accuse us of being PC zealots. Why give them ammuntition when it's not necessary?

[The Backlash Cometh]

18. I suggest you find the direct quote.

He did generalize.

[msmcghee]

21. OK - here's the quote.

"I think what we've had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well,"

"There is a little hope invested in McNabb, and he got a lot of credit for the performance of this team that he didn't deserve. The defense carried this team,"

Where is the generalization?

[haymaker]

23. Social concern in the NFL?

The media has been desirous? So the NFL and the media are in cahoots to promote Donovan McNabb, not Dante Culpepper, not Michael Vick, not Steve McNair, not Kordell Stewart, not Byron Leftwich, but Donovan McNabb.

Your admittance that you know nothing about the NFL rings true. If you don't think black quarterbacks get criticism, ask Kordell Stewart.

The statement was stupid, but still contrived. Limbaugh was probably chomping at the bit to throw some of those old stereotypes into the mix. Whether it was to revive that tired old shit, or whether it was to re-emphasize his idiot belief that the press is too PC doesn't matter.

The man is a blowhard, know-nothing fuck. He deserves more than he's gotten already.

Answer this, if he thinks Donovan McNabb is over-rated, why didn't he just say it? Why bring skin color into it at all?

I know why.

[msmcghee]

27. I agree that his statement was probably based in . .

. . his own racism. I also agree that "The man is a blowhard, know-nothing fuck. He deserves more than he's gotten already." I don't need to watch football to know that.

I am just saying that it is more effective to attack his statement on it's content - than to throw the PC flag at him - when it is not obviously racist to any impartial observer (only suspected racist).

The impartial observer will tend to think that you can't win your argument on substance - so you pull the PC card because you hate Rush.

[The Backlash Cometh]

25. It's blatantly generalized.

How could you miss it! A "social concern" - which to me implies that it is relating to McNabb's place in human society, not as a man, but as a BLACK man. According to Rush, McNabb is just one representation of the media's hope for "A" black quarterback to do well. Not McNabb, mind you, but "A" black quarterback.

[msmcghee]

29. Why is it so inconcievable that the NFL and the media . .

. . would want to see more successful black quarterbacks in the NFL?

And why is that bad or imply racism on Rush's part if he points that out?

The NFL is in it to make money. Perhaps they believe that since QB's are the stars - then having more black stars would attract more black viewers - and would not necessarily cause white viewers to lose interest. So they would make more money. That would be just like Budwieser putting black guys in their ads to increase black sales of their product. Is that racist?

Again, knowing what I do about Rush I agree that his statement was probably based in his own racism - but it was not necessarily a racist statement. I just think it is best to attack him on the substance unless it was an obvious racist gaffe on his part. I just don't think this qualifies.

But I really do despise the fuck.

[corporalclegg9]

40. I agree with you...

I don't think that it's uncommon whatsoever for our society to tend to root for minorities to do well in any arena that was previously (or still is now) dominated by white folk. I interpret that as people seeing signs of minority success as a sign that we are making progress in the war on racism. People understand that minorities have been traditionally oppressed, and so I think that us as humans are naturally inclined to be happy when someone who has been traditionally oppressed is able to shine through and demonstrate that yes, they CAN do whatever it was supposed they couldn't do for so long. Otherwise, it wouldn't be a big deal when people say things like "So and so is the first black person to hold this position," or "So and so is the first black woman to do this." We LIKE to see success, especially when the odds were stacked against the person who is successful (not because of lack of ability, but because of racism and oppression).

This being said, I don't think it's unheard of for some people to get so excited about the prospect of success by a minority in a certain area that they unintentionally look at a minority and "build them up" more than they would a white person of equal skill. I don't think that this is terribly common, but I don't think it's uncommon, and you have to look at a case by case basis. It would be ludicrious to take away from the accomplishments of, say Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods because of race. The statistics back up the fact that they truly did/do dominate their sport. In McNabb's case (and I admittedly don't know too much about football), the facts appear to indicate that he is a very good, but not incredible quarterback.

Do I know why McNabb is so highly touted despite statistics that don't necessarily back that up? No, I don't. There may be many reasons, but I just don't think it should be out of the question to bring up the point that race may play a role.

I most certainly do NOT want to defend Rush, because as someone said earlier, he (quite frequently) makes comments that in my mind are much, much more obviously offensive and racist. The man himself is no doubt a racist, and his racism surely motivated him to make a comment that involved race. This particular comment, however, in my mind brings up a potentially interesting and debatable question. I would have to look more closely at the facts to decide which side of the debate I am on in the case of McNabb, but for the sake of a society that can openly engage in debate, I don't like to see a point of view so easily dismissed without discussion.

Perhaps the substance of the comment would be easier to see if it hadn't been uttered by a man who is so clearly a racist to begin with.

[The Backlash Cometh]

56. The difference between our opinions lies in our perspectives.

My level of tolerance for racist comments is much lower than yours. I know there's no point in being an Uncle Tom wannabe in these matters. It just leaves the wrong impression -- it creates a false "comfort zone" for whites -- a sort of inbetween where the "moderate" racist and overt racist meet; and where the language reinforces itself and never dies.

Let them say what they want, it's a free country, but they will also have to be prepared to suffer the social consequences of receiving a verbal backlash in return -- which is also protected by the First Amendment.

[op6203]

24. Me, too

I remember a time (not too long ago) when it was rare to see a black quarterback. Yes, there were many other black athletes on the field, but not in that lead position (and I seriously doubt it was due to lack of talent). Since there are fewer in the position, there's less chance for a black QB to "shine". That being said, I'm sure there are some people that would love to see a black QB have an awesome season. It would help make QB a "colorblind" position, too. Maybe that's where Limbo was going with his comments.

I (like the post above) rarely watch football (anymore) - maybe my local team when I'm not busy.
OP

[Wickerman]

14. If Everyone is sick of this story

why perpetuate it? Thats almost as silly as Rush complaining about how the evil librul media is trying to destroy his career while he is carried on 250+ markets and has single-handedly destroyed many a career. If you are sick of it, don't ask questions that don't contribute anything. Just stay of those threads about Limbaugh. BTW, a dead give away that they might be about Rush? They will say somethig about Rush, Limbaugh, or Pig Boy in the header.

[The Backlash Cometh]

15. Talk about the man's performance ... not about his color.

Racism exists and you only reinforce that notion when you bring race into the issue. Did anybody talk about Vinnie Testaverde's race when he played for the Tampa Bay Bucks and stank? Point made.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

20. There is an inherent conflict in your poll since it is now politically

correct to be vile.

[noiretextatique]

28. and it's also "pc" to excuse racism

this is a general comment...
if someone came up to me and called me an "n," then burned a cross on my lawn, someone would find an excuse for why it wasn't *really* racism. perhaps it would be a free speech issue, or perhaps since no actually physical harm was done to my person, it wouldn't *really* be a racist act. if i say i was fired because of my race, someone will say it *really* wasn't that...oftentimes without bothering to even know the details of my story. if i say i was stopped by the police because of my race, someone will tell me it might have been something else...as if racial profiling *really* doesn't happen. of course there are always many angles to a story, but i have noticed this excuse-making and denial...it seems almost a knee-jerk reaction...funny how this always seems to happen.
i'm not saying this applies to the rush incident or this thread...just something i've noticed after 44 years as a black woman living in america....there are always reasons why it *really* isn't racism.
i'm sure mcnabb is used to comments like rush's...he's probably heard them many times before.

[msmcghee]

30. There's no doubt in my mind that Rush is racist . .

. . and that's why he said what he said.

But it pays to pick your battles. When a statement is borderline - or could be construed innocently (even if you suspect it was racist) - it is best to smile politely and perhaps say something like, "I know you did not intend that statement in a racist way but it could be taken that way by some - would you like to clarify?"

That puts them in the embarrasing position of either saying they are racist or denying it and apologizing - especially if everyone knows they are racists and they deny it. Either way they will look foolish and you will look fair.

That's what his co-announcers should probably have done.

[Suspicious]

36. I - politely - disagree.

Any time a public person makes a comment that is racist or might be construed by some as being racist, the comment should be addressed immediately and directly, as it was in this case (although not by his co-announcers). Someone like Rush Limbaugh would tapdance circles around any question posed in the manner yours was.

Racism is an ugly, vile part of our lives, and it should never be given a chance to make excuses for itself or pretend to be something other than what it is. The more we let it be known that it is unacceptable behavior, not only from our public personalities, but from society as a whole, beginning with our children, the faster we will head down the path of achieving the greatness humanity is certainly capable of.

[msmcghee]

38. At heart I agree totally with your sentiments.

We're both on the same side and would like to see a race blind society. We just differ on tactics.

I hope we both win what we want. I hope that either or both paths will get us there.

Peace

[noiretextatique]

37. you know...that never really works for me

if a black person even hints at racism, the apologists immediately find excuses for why it isn't racism. as i said, it wouldn't matter if someone called me the "n" word to my face, or if it was more subtle...someone would find an excuse. not everyone, mind you, but this has been my experience.

[msmcghee]

44. Yes, that is true.

As a white person I have often been exposed to racism - especially in the south where white males love to tell n* jokes and many of them use the n* word casually.

It is easy to call Rush Limbaugh a racist here at DU.

But how easy is it in a one-on-one situation, say at a business meeting where your company's success is in play, to stop someone and say "I am offended by your use of that racist hateful word. Either you must agree to not use that word in my presence, or one of us will have to leave. What is your choice?"

How many liberals would have the courage to possibly lose the business deal, and would speak up? Not many I'm afraid.

I'm saying we should have more courage to call racism when we see it - even if it is not comfortable to do so. But we should not call it unless we can prove it - because that helps the racists.

[noiretextatique]

55. true...but "proof" is often about perception

and the different ways people perceive racism. and therein lies the problem with "proving racism"...it's often a matter of perception. and even in cases where there is hard evidence, say a pattern of racial discrimination in salary in a company, that proof can still be dismissed and "unintentional," and therefore rejected as proof. the trick of course is to prove intention, and that is a much more difficult task. this is pretty much how i view rush's comments...his intent is not as important re: this one comment, as is his overall pattern of making similar comments.

[Gringo]

39. You're confusing sentiment with syntax.

What Rush said is not patently racist. It is wrong, and stupid, but not necessarily racist. Limbaugh himself, however, has proven himself to be a blatant racist and race-baiter on many occasions, and that fact is coloring people's view of this comment. Attacking Affirmative Action may be wrong, but it is not racist to do so, IMO.

"if someone came up to me and called me an "n," then burned a cross on my lawn, someone would find an excuse for why it wasn't *really* racism. perhaps it would be a free speech issue, or perhaps since no actually physical harm was done to my person, it wouldn't *really* be a racist act."

No doubt 'someone' would try to defend those actions, but it would not be DUers. The circumstances are totally different. Only the Klan or an overzealous ACLU legal team would try to defend that.

[noiretextatique]

51. all in the eye of the beholder.

that his comments weren't patently racist, that is. i don't think attacking affirmative action is necessarily racist, but it's not suprising how often it is.

if a known racist makes a comment that can be construed as racist, why should i give him the benefit of the doubt? it's not like he hasn't made other comments that are clearly racist. i'm not convinced that rush IS really a racist, but i think he makes his money by appealing to people who are...i'm sure THEY got his message, in it's entirety.

and i have seen the oft-repeated assumptions about "less qualified minorities" attacks on affirmative action right here at DU. the cross-burning example may be too clear-cut to deny outright, but less overt examples are often disputed...as i mentioned, sometimes without knowing the details of the incident in question.

it seems to me that acknowledging racism as racism is still a taboo for some white americans, even some liberal ones.

[Gringo]

52. It's not that "we" don't want to acknowledge racism as racism

It's parallel to the legal idea of "innocent until proven guilty" Making a precedent of condemning an obvious racebaiting a-hole for a comment that can be CONSTRUED as racist paves the way for destroying well-meaning non-racists with unskilled tongues as well.

Racism that is clearly racism should ALWAYS be condemned.

[noiretextatique]

57. racism that is *clearly* racism...to whom?

do you see...you are making my point for me? if you acknowledge that he is a racist, and that has made racist comments is the past, then why bend over backwards "defending" him over a *questionable*, at best, comment? exactly WHO are you protecting by doing so? WHO? rush the RACIST? what on earth would "prove" him guilty...if not his own words, his own actions, and his own history? i regret i have to inform you of this, but subtle racism, like rush's comments, is STILL *clearly* racism.

[CBHagman]

26. It was bashing of African-Americans and affirmative action.

The implication was that McNabb was graded on a curve because of his race. I'm no football expert (to say the least!), but from what I hear, McNabb does perform quite well as a QB.

Besides, it's wrong for a sports commentator to start politicizing and editorializing about the players.

That said, it amazes me how people like Schwarzenegger and G.W. Bush are graded on a curve -- rated as prime rib when they're obviously squashed hamburgers, as far as their performance as businessmen (HA!) or leaders is concerned.

[Gringo]

41. Implying or even saying that McNabb was graded on curve

is not racist. It may be a lie, and a personal insult, but it is not racist, anymore than saying that Dumbya was graded on a curve is a slam against all rich white guys.

The PC extremists are showing the gaps in their logic in ever-increasing amounts today.

[Suspicious]

31. Completely racist and utterly offensive.

To make matters worse (if this is possible), and despite Limbaugh's denial, he directed his seldom-disguised racism, in this particular instance, at one individual - a man who has earned his reputation and deserves it. He maliciously and deliberately undercut McNabb's talent and success. Limbaugh trying to pass his comments off as being directed at the media is absurd - it does not make one bit of difference who he claims he was directing his comments toward - the comments were racist, and an individual was hurt by them.

What a despicable way to treat a fellow human being. The fact that he then went on to say he must be right, since everyone was so offended and angry over the situation - it's almost as if he enjoys sinking to the furthest depths humanity could possibly reach!

I never listen to his show (I did, some time back, but it was dangerous for my health - I could literally feel my blood pressure elevating every time I tuned in to his madness), but sometimes I have to wonder who is pulling his strings, and how much he is being paid - I find it nearly impossible to believe that he could be as ignorant as he seems.

[msmcghee]

33. Take a few deep breaths.

You said "The fact that he then went on to say he must be right, since everyone was so offended and angry over the situation - it's almost as if he enjoys sinking to the furthest depths humanity could possibly reach!"

In this case he has a point - in that the liberal anger (at his suspected racism, not the substance of his remarks) does make his point to some extent.

I'm just saying sometimes it is better to get even than get mad.



B-)

[Suspicious]

42. It's not "liberal" anger....

It's just plain human anger.

And it isn't "suspected" racism - would you define that term for me? The comment was racist. A non-racist comment would have been a statement in which the "black" qualifier was omitted. Elementary.

[Gringo]

43. I agree that his comments were insulting to McNabb

That still doesn't make them racist. McNabb handles the insult pretty gracefully, though...

[Mandate My Ass]

47. He said the media wants to promote "black quarterbacks"

He did not say McNabb, he said black quarterbacks. That being said, he is implying very strongly that blacks cannot be good quarterbacks, the fact that they're in those positions at all is not because of their talent, but because the media props them up.

Common sense tells you that no matter what the media says about any players, football is about money. If quarterbacks were not playing well, their teams would be losing. If the teams are losing fans wouldn't shell out big bucks to go to the games. If the fans don't come to the games the owners wouldn't be making any money and there would be no black quarterbacks for the media to promote.

So Rush is actually a stupid racist pig.

[Suspicious]

48. I have read

through a couple of your posts, and where I completely see your point (and in the context of words and language standing alone, separate from all human emotion and logic, I will agree that your argument holds water), I, personally, don't care to get hung up in all of the semantic entanglements - I am going from point A, skipping B and C, and heading directly to point D. I do not need to be an English major to know that Rush is racist, and that his comments were unacceptable. I guess I'll leave it to others to argue the definition of "racist"; I already know what it means to me.

I was impressed with McNabb's handling of the situation, as well.

[Gringo]

50. I agree that Limbaugh is a racist pig

And on the basis of his previous racist hate comments, should never have been hired, but firing him on the basis of this one points out the fact that ESPN did it all just for attention: Hire a controversial blowhard, get some attention for that, then fire him, and get some more attention when he inevitably sticks his foot in his mouth. Did anyone NOT see this coming?

[Suspicious]

54. On this, I will definitely agree.

Although, I do not follow Limbaugh's career, did not know ESPN had hired him and therefore, did not see it coming. :)

I'm equally certain that MSNBC employed this same tactic when they signed Savage on.

In retrospect, I need to qualify my statement with regard to Limbaugh being racist. I stated earlier that I wonder who pulls his strings, and I do. He may be racist to the core, but he's more intelligent than to throw a race baiting comment - such as this one - out there, and expect any other reaction than the one he received. I think there is something far more sinister to it than a simple case of an ignorant racist who happened to screw up on ESPN.

[MadHound]

32. The comment was both racist and startingly ignorant

To imply that a quarterback is getting a pass in the media due to his skin color is a racist remark. It also displays a stunning lack of football knowledge. McNabb is a three time Pro Bowl winner, an MVP, has taken his team to the playoffs twice, well I think that record speaks for itself. Furthermore if you look at McNabbs stats for the past few years you will see that he is one of the top three quarterbacks in the league.

It is amazing, but as I write this I'm listening to Limpballs(MY EARS! MY EARS!) and he is blathering about how this is a free speech issue. LOL, but yes he is free to say any damn racist thing he wants, however isn't free from peoples' reaction to it. Most people in this country realize that what he said was an offensive and stupid comment.

[msmcghee]

34. You said . .

"It also displays a stunning lack of football knowledge. McNabb is a three time Pro Bowl winner, an MVP, has taken his team to the playoffs twice, well I think that record speaks for itself. Furthermore if you look at McNabbs stats for the past few years you will see that he is one of the top three quarterbacks in the league."

That is the argumument that will show impartial observers that Limpballs is a racist.

Calling him a racist pig because racism "could be" implied by his statement will only make them think you are being unfair and probably wrong.

[MadHound]

46. The absolute stunning thing about his comment is . . .

That any twelve year old who plays fantasy football will tell you that Limpballs is full of shit! Fantasy football is a great way to isolate off a player and consider their individual performance. McNabb's is such(aprox 25+ TDs tossed, 2-5 TDs run in, loads of yards) that he is consistently rated in the top three quarterbacks.

Just goes to show how good Limpballs vaunted football knowledge is.

[mandyky]

45. I voted other because it is a combination

of choice #1 and #2. I am curious how Black people and minorities feel about it. I think McNabb made some good points in his press conference, about young minority kids hearing that crap.

[msmcghee]

49. Thanks to all . .

. . for the heartfelt, intelligent discussion about these very important issues concerning racism and how best to fight it. I am so glad I am on the right side with all of you in this battle - even if I may disagree with some of you about the best tactics.

It is now 11:20 here in the Seattle area and I have not done one thing to help produce income for myself. Sorry I have to go - but thanks.

:toast:

[Brewman_Jax]

53. Really offensive

I'll put it simply: white quarterbacks performances aren't prefaced with "white quarterback." Why should quarterbacks who are black not get the same consideration?

[kodi]

58. repugnant racism, repugnant racism, repugnant racism, repugnant racism

anyone who thinks what this dispicable man said was not repugnant racism has no idea of racial issues in america or is a god damned liar.

limbaugh is not an ignorant child. he is a grown man who has lived in this country for 5 decades and for him to even venture to discuss this issue in the manner he did reveals his innate racist nature. that he tries to mask his racist nature in this matter by blaming the "liberal" sports writers is a disgraceful joke. calling sports writers "liberal" is about as useful a description as discussing "radical" pro golfers.

while i personally do not advocate violence, if i saw him being beaten about the head and body with a 2 by 4, i would walk on by.

[Cocoa]

59. I'd suggest looking up McNabb's press conf. transcripts

Over the course of his answering the various questions, you get a real clear view of exactly why one person found the comments offensive.

Not everyone is going to take the comments in the same way, but McNabb's perspective is a good place to start. He talked about his experience throughout his life and career, and he really got it across clearly.

[noiretextatique]

63. what a novel idea...see how the "target" felt about the comments

vs. parsing the meaning of rush's comments, without considering the "target's" views on said comments...sounds like a plan :hi:

[Cocoa]

64. McNabb did a real service sharing his thoughts

He could have just blown it all off, not wanting to bother with it, but he took the time to hold the press conference.

Plus he did it very thoughtfully. Athletes a lot of times say things that are either mindlessly non-challenging, or else kind of mindlessly provactive. As a Chicagoan, Michael Jordan and Dennis Rodman, respectively, come to mind.

[blkgrl]

60. Comment would have been OK if it came from a non-racist

Its not so much Rush's comment that was racist, but any comment made by Rush that involves race comes from racist intentions.

[srubick]

61. Token ignorance

Rush has not the intelligence or compassion to understand a word he says.
He has built a huge industry aping the ideology of the rag tag remnants of the born losers still waving the confederate flag.
He knows which side his bread is buttered and will take every opportunity to spread the hatred.